Pickup truck falls into gorge in Himachal; 4 pilgrims from Punjab killed, 25 injured

SHIMLA: Four people from Punjab were killed and around 25 injured when a pickup truck they were travelling in plunged into a deep gorge near Jadrangal in Kangra district, police said on Friday. The vehicle was carrying pilgrims who were returning to Punjab's Moga from Mata Chamunda Devi temple in Kangra when it lost control on Chamunda-Dharamshala road near Ikku Mod and fell into the gorge, they said. A woman died on the spot while leaving the others injured. Police reached the spot when they got information about the accident and began rescue operations. The injured were rushed to Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital, Tanda where three others succumbed to their injuries. The rest are receiving treatment in the hospital. Kiran (35), Sukhjinder Singh (35), Jagsir Singh (38) and Paramjeet Kaur (35), all residents of Bhagike village in Moga district, died in the accident. Police officials said a case has been registered and further investigations are underway.

Himachal Pradesh flash floods: Woman hit by boulder dies, another man suspected to be swept away

CHANDIGARH: A 20-year-old lady died after she was hit by a boulder in the Rampur sub division of Shimla district, while another man went missing after being swept away in the Parvati river in the Manikaran area of Kullu district on Thursday as three cloudbursts triggered flash floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh. Heavy rain, cloudbursts and flash floods also hit several districts of the hill state including Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti causing massive destruction. Since yesterday night rainfall has been intense, Kandaghat recorded 100 mm, Una 85.4 mm, Solan 81.4 mm, and Shimla 69 mm. The meteorological department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain at isolated places till August 20. In the Shimla district, heavy rainfall led to the collapse of a bus stand and damaged several adjoining shops. Additionally, two bridges were washed away, cutting off access to the Koot and Kyav panchayats. Mira Hamza of Taklech, was hit by a boulder rolling down a hill near Kholti Nala in Rampur and succumbed to her injuries at a private hospital. In another incident a truck skidded and fell into a gorge near Juni village on the Mandhar-Palyar Road in Shimla district. The District Disaster Management Authority said both occupants of the truck are safe. The road leading to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla was closed following a landslide in which two vehicles were damaged. Himachal Pradesh flash floods: Army rescues four stranded civilians in Kinnaur While in the Lahaul and Spiti district, cloudbursts triggered flash floods in the Mayad Valley, causing the collapse of two more bridges in the Karpat, Changut, and Udgos Nala areas and people from Karpat village have been shifted to safe places amid looming danger. While cloudbursts took place at Shrikhand hill in Nirmand sub division, Bathadh hill of Tirthan Valley in Banjar sub division of Kullu district and at Nanti in Shimlas Rampur area on Wednesday night. A search was on for the unidentified man who fell into the swollen Parvati river at Chowki in Manikaran of Kullu in the morning. In Kinnaur, flash floods left four people stranded and one injured. The Indian Army stepped in to help and rescued them.`` On receiving an urgent request from the superintendent of police, Kinnaur, the Army immediately mobilised a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) column. Braving darkness, fast currents and unstable terrain, the team reached the location and discovered four civilians stranded on the far bank of the river, the army said in a statement on X. As per the State Emergency Operation Centre, a total of 472 roads, including NH-305 (Aut-Sainj) and NH-505 (Khab to Gramphoo), have been closed, including 162 roads in Mandi and 73 in Kullu, while a police post in Ganvi Ravine was swept away due to the rains. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had flagged the ecological imbalance in Himachal Pradesh and cautioned that the entire state may vanish into thin air if the situation does not change.

Himachal Pradesh flash floods: Army rescues four stranded civilians in Kinnaur

SHIMLA: The Army rescued four people, including one injured, after flash floods hit parts of Himachal Pradesh, an official statement issued on Thursday said. The flash floods triggered by a cloudburst hit the higher reaches of Rishi Dogri valley in Kinnaur district on Wednesday evening and the bridge across the Sutlej river was inundated. The site was an active road construction zone under CPWD towards Gangthang Bralam, the Army said. On receiving an urgent request from the superintendent of police, Kinnaur, the Army immediately mobilised a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) column. Braving darkness, fast currents and unstable terrain, the team reached the location and discovered four civilians stranded on the far bank of the river, the statement said. Working with precision under challenging conditions, the HADR team illuminated the general area to aid night rescue operations and guided the stranded civilians to higher and safer places. The team also evacuated the injured individual and admitted him to Regional Hospital, Reckong Peo, it said. The Army said new generation equipment, including the Logistics Drone High Altitude (LDHA) system, was used to ferry essential items, such as eatables and coconut water, across the floodwaters to help sustain the stranded individuals through the night. It said the rescued civilians were taken to the Army camp in Pooh. Plans are in place to bring the stranded individuals back to the home bank once the water recedes.

IMD issues red alert for flash floods, cloudburst risk in Uttarakhand, week after Dharali disaster

NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has raised a red alert, cautioning against an imminent threat of flash floods across the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Bihar and Sikkim in eastern India, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the south and some parts of Maharashtra. It has asked people to remain vigilant over the next 24 hours as nature prepares to unleash fury. IMDs caution applies to Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Lahul and Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts in Himachal and Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, and Uttarkashi districts in Uttarakhand. The weather office has alerted the Himalayan states, including the Jammu region, of extremely heavy rainfall up to 210 mm in the next day and heavy rain in the next 6-7 days. Satellite imagery shows scattered to broken intense convective clouds over Uttarakhand and also around Uttarkashi, which may cause cloudburst-induced flash floods. Uttarakhand cloudburst-hit Dharali villagers seek Kedarnath-style rebuild, relocation to nearby sites Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim of east India, coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam, east and north Telangana and Maharashtras Marathwada region may also witness low to moderate flash flood risk. In its bulletin, the IMD said inundation may occur at some saturated soils and low-lying areas over the regions of concern. The IMD has warned of hefty rainfall in west-central India adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal off north Andhra and south Odisha coasts due to the emergence of a low-pressure area along the Bay of Bengal. Under its influence, Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema, Telangana, and Karnataka are more likely to receive hefty rainfall from August 13 to 17. Fisherfolk have been advised not to venture into the Arabian Sea between August 13 and 18. A similar advice relates to areas along and off the Sri Lankan coast, along and off the Andhra Pradesh coast, and the Odisha coast during the same period. Blockbuster monsoon likely in the second fortnight of August, said Debashish Jena, researcher and agrometeorologist at GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Uttarakhand. Experts blame decades of deodar tree felling for worsening Uttarkashi cloudburst

Cloudbursts, flash floods in Himachal; 325 roads closed; very heavy rain warning in 3 districts

Himachal Pradesh faced nature's fury. Bridges collapsed in Shimla, Lahaul, and Spiti. Cloudbursts and flash floods caused widespread damage. Over 300 roads closed, disrupting travel. A police post swept away, shops damaged. No casualties reported yet. Orange alert issued for more heavy rain. The state has suffered significant financial losses this monsoon. Many people have died in rain-related incidents.

Cloudbursts trigger flash floods in Kullu, Shimla, Lahaul-Spiti

Himachal Pradesh: IMD issues orange alert for Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi districts

According to the latest IMD predictions, an orange alert was issued for Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts on Tuesday. The weather bureau also said that Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts are likely to receive very heavy rain on Wednesday

'Not The Original Targets': Behind The Kidnap Of Minister's Nephew Near Elite Shimla School

The kidnapped boys were from prominent families with one from Karnal, another the nephew of Punjab Minister Harjot Bains, and the third the great-grandson of an ex-MLA from Kullu

Kidnapper of Shimla boarding school boys is an alumnus & debt-ridden techie: Cops

Three Class 6 Students Went Missing In Shimla During School Outing, Found A Day Later

The boys, all Class 6 students, disappeared during a routine weekend outing, leading to a large-scale search.

Shimla boarding school boys, missing for 24 hours, rescued by cops; dangerous suspect arrested on kidnap charges, sharp weapons seized

3 Missing Shimla Boarding School Students Found, Kidnapper Arrested: Cops

Three class 6 students of a boys' boarding school in Shimla were recovered from a house in Chaithla village of Kotkhai area here on Sunday, a day after they went missing during a day out.

3 kidnapped students of Shimla boarding school traced within 24 hours

Three Shimla boarding school students who went missing found: Police

Parents of the missing children have been informed and a search for the students of the private school is underway, police said

Three Class VI students in Shimla have gone missing; Parents receive threatening calls from US number

CHANDIGARH: Three Class VI students of one of the countrys most prestigious and oldest boarding schools in Shimla have gone missing since yesterday when they went out for their regular weekly outing. The parents allegedly received threatening calls from a US-based number. Sources said the three missing students have been identified as Vedansh Bharti from Kullu in Himachal Pradesh, Angad Lather from Karnal in Haryana, and Hitender Singh from Mohali in Punjab. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the New Shimla Police Station on charges of kidnapping of minor children under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A police official said that a case has been registered on the basis of the complaint submitted by the school principal, in which he stated that the three students had moved out of the school on the outing day towards Mall Road in Shimla but did not return before the scheduled time. The boys left the school at 12.09 pm on Saturday and did not return by 5 pm. The police have now deployed drone mapping of the entire area, and the last known location of the students was near the school. The CCTV footage of the area is also being scanned for other vital clues. Witnesses confirmed that they saw the students at different locations on Mall Road, Shimla, said sources. Sources claimed that the parents of the missing children have been informed and have reached Shimla. A search for the students of the private school is underway. According to the information, all the parents of the missing students had allegedly received a threatening phone call yesterday evening from a US-based number claiming that their children were in the custody of dangerous people. The families of all the three students are politically well connected, said an official.

Three Class 6 Students Missing from Shimla Boarding School

Police launch search, scan CCTV, and monitor city exits after boys fail to return from weekend outing

Monsoon Fury: 362 Roads Closed in Himachal Due to Landslides, Flash Floods

The Met office in Shimla has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning at isolated places in the state on Sunday

HP: 5 of family among 6 killed as car falls into gorge in Chamba

SHIMLA, Aug 8: Six people, including five of a family, were killed on the spot when their car fell 500 metres down into a gorge in Himachals Chamba district, police said on Friday. The accident happened near Chanvas in Tissa subdivision of Chamba district when a government school teacher was returning home from Banikhet along [] The post HP: 5 of family among 6 killed as car falls into gorge in Chamba appeared first on Northlines .

5 Of Family Among 6 Killed As Car Falls Into Gorge In Himachals Chamba

SHIMLA, Aug 8: Six people, including five of a family, were killed on the spot when their car fell 500 metres down into a gorge in Himachals Chamba district, police said on Friday. The accident happened near Chanvas in Tissa subdivision of Chamba district when a government school teacher was returning home from Banikhet along with his family members. As per preliminary investigations, a falling rock hit the vehicle following which the vehicle fell into the gorge. They were about [] The post 5 Of Family Among 6 Killed As Car Falls Into Gorge In Himachals Chamba appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Five of family among six killed as car falls into gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba

SHIMLA: Six people, including five of a family, were killed on the spot when their car fell 500 metres down into a gorge in Himachal's Chamba district, police said on Friday. The accident happened near Chanvas in Tissa subdivision of Chamba district when a government school teacher was returning home from Banikhet along with his family members. As per preliminary investigations, a falling rock hit the vehicle following which the vehicle fell into the gorge. They were about a kilometre away from their house when the car plunged into the gorge. The villagers rushed to the spot as soon as the heard the screams and immediately informed the police and started the rescue operations. Rajesh, a teacher in Banikhet, his wife Hanso (36) his son, Deepak (15), and daughter, Aarti (17), brother-in-law, Hemraj, and another person the family gave lift to in their car died in the accident. The accident took place around 9:30 on Thursday night and it took almost six hours to recover the bodies. A case has been registered and further investigations are underway, police said.

Kinnaur Kailash Yatra suspended, 413 devotees rescued after cloudburst triggers flash flood in Himachal

CHANDIGARH: The Kinnaur Kailash Yatra in Himachal Pradesh has been suspended, and nearly 413 stranded devotees were rescued and evacuated in a nine-hour operation after a cloudburst triggered a flash flood that washed away a large part of the trekking path, including makeshift bridges at Tanglippi and Kangarang. The pilgrims currently on the route have been safely sheltered at Milling Khata and Gufa, and all necessary arrangements have been made for their safety. Most of the trekking paths have either become dangerously slippery or have been hit by landslides, posing a serious threat to the safety of pilgrims. In view of these adverse conditions, the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra is being temporarily suspended until further notice, stated an official order. Sources said that the rescue operation, which started last night, successfully rescued all pilgrims who were trapped on different sides of the mountain and were unable to cross the river. The devotees were rescued using the rope-based traverse crossing technique. In this method, the pilgrims were attached to ropes and safely brought to the other side of the river, then shifted to safer locations. A 34-member Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) team, in coordination with a 14-member team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), was mobilised, and the search and rescue operation was launched after a distress call was made by the Kinnaur district administration, said an official. Sources said that on Thursday morning, the authorities informed the ITBP that more pilgrims were stranded at other locations, after which additional rescue teams were mobilised. ITBP wrote on X, Responding to the requisition from DC Kinnaur, #ITBP has deployed a rescue team under AC/GD Sameer with mountaineering and RRC equipment after two makeshift bridges on the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra route were washed away due to incessant rains, leaving several yatris stranded. Kinnaur Kailash, considered to be the winter residence of Lord Shiva, is located at an altitude of 19,850 feet. The yatra began on July 15 and was scheduled to continue till August 30. Meanwhile, educational institutions including schools, colleges, and anganwadis were closed in Sunni, Kumarsein, Chopal, Dodra Kwar, Jubbal, Theog, and Rampur subdivisions of Shimla district; Karsog and Sundernagar in Mandi district; Nirmand in Kullu district; and some subdivisions in Solan district. Several schools in Shimla city announced holidays or switched to online classes. Additionally, the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway (NH 21), Old Hindustan-Tibet Road (NH 05), Mandi-Dharampur (NH 3), and Aut-Sainj road (NH 305) were closed for vehicular traffic following landslides. The Shimla-Kalka National Highway, which was blocked at Chakki Mor near Koti in Solan district, has since been opened for vehicular movement. Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) officials cautioned the public about disruptions in water supply for the next two to three days due to high turbidity at the source. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported that 617 roads including four national highways were cut off on Wednesday (August 6, 2025). Of these, 377 are in Mandi district, which was recently battered by cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods, and 90 are in Kullu district.

Heavy rain, landslides cut off over 600 roads in Himachal; schools closed in four districts

Shimla, Aug 6: Heavy rain led to the closure of 617 roads, including four national highways, and educational institutions in parts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, officials said. The Kinnaur Kailash Yatra was suspended as the rain on Tuesday night left behind a trail of destruction along the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra route, they said. Moderate to heavy rain continued to lash parts of the state. Kasauli has received 145 mm of rain since Tuesday night, Dharampur 122.8 mm, Gohar 120 [] The post Heavy rain, landslides cut off over 600 roads in Himachal; schools closed in four districts appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal Rains: Schools, colleges shut in Shimla's six sub-divisions as IMD warns of rainfall

Himachal Pradesh faces heavy rainfall. The IMD forecasts more intense rainfall in several districts. Schools are closed in six subdivisions due to the weather. The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway is also closed. Sadly, 194 deaths have been reported during the monsoon season. The state has suffered significant financial losses. The SDMA reports 108 deaths directly related to rain.

Himachal rains: 453 roads blocked across state, total loss touches Rs 1,700 crore

CHANDIGARH: Heavy downpour since Monday evening triggered widespread landslides and flooding across Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, blocking the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway and several other roads and disrupting day to day life. A total of 453 roads including four national highways closed across the state. Till now, 192 persons have lost their lives in landslides, cloudbursts, flashfloods and 301 are injured. The total loss caused by flashfloods and torrential rain in the state has touched Rs 1,753.63 crore. As per the state emergency operation centre, as on Tuesday morning, 449 roads and four national highways were blocked across the state. Of these, 318 roads and three national highways are in Mandi district, 67 roads and one national highways in Kullu district, 23 roads in Kangra district, 22 roads in Sirmour district, ten roads in Una district, four each in Bilaspur and Chamba districts and one in Shimla. Additionally, 753 electricity transformers have been damaged and 276 water supply schemes disrupted. The Public Works Department suffered a loss of Rs 880 crore, followed by the Jal Shakti Department at Rs 618 crore, horticulture sector Rs 27.43 crore and the agriculture sector Rs 11.45 crore. Sources said that the Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has been blocked at many places due to landslides and continuous shooting stones. Also, the alternate road via KataulaKamand is blocked due to similar conditions. Not only these important roads, the Mandi-Dharampur highway via Kotli is blocked near Kainchi Mod and Mandi-Jogindernagar highway is also impassable. The Mandi-Rewalsar road near Lohardi has been blocked as several link roads in different parts of the district have reported landslides and water logging. Due to incessant rains, the Beas River and its tributaries are on the verge of flooding low-lying regions. Due to water logging in the Balh area of Mandi the movement of public and emergency services has further complicated. The district administration has launched extensive restoration efforts but due to persistent rainfall and unstable terrain these efforts have been hampered. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and regular updates are expected as conditions evolve. Meanwhile, road users are being urged to strictly follow the instructions issued by local authorities and on-ground personnel. Mandi Police have issued public advisories urging residents and travelers to avoid unnecessary movement and stay away from riversides and landslide-prone zones. Emergency response teams are on alert and restoration machinery has been deployed to clear debris and reopen the affected routes. The Meteorological Department has forecasted continued rainfall for the next few hours, prompting authorities to remain vigilant. An orange alert for heavy rain in Una, Bilaspur and Kangra districts and a yellow alert for heavy rain in Sirmaur, Mandi and Hamirpur districts on August 5 have been issued.

HC notice to state govt on PIL highlighting threat to Shimla Ridge water tank

Himachal Pradesh monsoon fury: Mandi, Kullu among worst-hit districts

The SDMA on Sunday released its latest landslide monitoring report, highlighting risk levels across 22 locations in districts like Mandi, Kangra, Shimla, and Solan, based on real-time monitoring inputs

HP: 2 NH among 307 roads closed; Orange alert issued

Shimla, August 3: Moderate to heavy rains continued to lash parts of Himachal Pradesh, resulting in the closure of 307 roads, including two national highways on Sunday, officials said. The local Meteorological office has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rains in isolated areas of the state on Monday and Tuesday. Since [] The post HP: 2 NH among 307 roads closed; Orange alert issued appeared first on Northlines .

Himachal: 2 NH Among 307 Roads Closed, Orange Alert For Very Heavy Rains

Shimla, August 3 (PTI) Moderate to heavy rains continued to lash parts of Himachal Pradesh, resulting in the closure of 307 roads, including two national highways on Sunday, officials said. The local Meteorological office has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rains in isolated areas of the state on Monday and Tuesday. Since Saturday evening, several regions have experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, with Bharari recording 108.2 mm, followed by Murari Devi with 82 mm, Naina Devi [] The post Himachal: 2 NH Among 307 Roads Closed, Orange Alert For Very Heavy Rains appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Terrifying Video Shows Bulldozer Falling 300 Metres Into Gorge In Shimla Amid Rain | Watch

A bulldozer accident in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, killed the driver after the vehicle tumbled down a mountainside amid severe monsoon rains causing widespread damage.

Bulldozer Falls 300 Metres Into Gorge In Rain-Battered Shimla, Driver Dead

A bulldozer met with an accident while it was opening a road in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla, sending it tumbling down the mountain-side.

Rains lash parts of Himachal; Kinnar Kailash Yatra suspended

SHIMLA, Jul 30 : Moderate to very heavy rains lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, triggering landslides at several places and forcing authorities to suspend the Kinnar Kailash Yatra in Kinnaur district. However, no casualties were reported due to the landslides, officials said, adding that some vehicles were buried in Kullu district. On Wednesday, a total of 289 roads were closed in the state, they said. The Kinnaur district administration on Wednesday suspended the Kinnar Kailash Yatra following [] The post Rains lash parts of Himachal; Kinnar Kailash Yatra suspended appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal cabinet cancels 172 stalled hydro projects

CHANDIGARH: The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved the cancellation of 172 small hydro projects, each below 5 MW capacity, under the Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency (HIMURJA), where construction had allegedly stalled for an extended period. The state government will re-advertise these projects, as per the decision taken at a cabinet meeting. It was also decided to apply a uniform free power royalty of 12 per cent, along with an additional one per cent for the Local Area Development Fund, for all hydro projects up to 5 MW that will be allotted in the future. The cabinet further approved the cancellation of 22 hydroelectric projects above 5 MW, previously allotted by the Directorate of Energy, where implementation agreements had not been signed. For the remaining projects, developers have been allowed time until 5 August 2025 to submit replies to the notices served. A committee will be constituted to negotiate with 14 project developers for an out-of-court settlement to refund the principal amount of the upfront premium, without interest. Amendments were also approved to the Himachal Pradesh Minor Minerals (Concession) and Minerals (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2015. Under the revised provisions, contractors or agencies engaged in road cutting will now be permitted to use the generated material during the de-siltation and maintenance of reservoir projects for captive purposes. Additionally, any leftover stacked raw material or finished product, along with the entire material generated, shall be auctioned by the designated committee in accordance with the prescribed procedure. The cabinet also approved amendments to the existing compassionate employment policy. Under the revised policy, the annual income eligibility criterion per family has been increased from 2.5 lakh to 3 lakh. Priority for compassionate appointments will now be given to widows and parentless applicants below 45 years of age, as well as to the dependents of government officials who died while performing their duties. Furthermore, in cases where vacancies under the existing 5 per cent quota for such appointments are unavailable, the cabinet has permitted a one-time relaxation of this quota to ensure eligible applicants are accommodated. The cabinet also gave its approval to allow women workers to be engaged in shops and commercial establishments during night shifts, from 7 pm to 7 am, to promote gender equality. It was also decided to grant maternity benefits to every woman employee working in such establishments, as prescribed under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. An increase in the number of B.Sc. Nursing seats at Sister Nivedita Government Nursing College, Shimla, from 60 to 100 was also approved. Additionally, the cabinet sanctioned the establishment of a new B.Sc. Nursing College with an annual intake of 60 seats at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Kangra at Tanda, along with the creation and filling of 27 posts across various categories. A cabinet sub-committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan to oversee the development of a 300-acre Medical Device Park at Nalagarh. The sub-committee has been instructed to submit its report within two months. To facilitate the expansion of Kangra Airport, the cabinet granted a one-year extension up to 16 August 2026, under Section 26 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, for land acquisition proceedings. It also gave its nod to the draft Development Plan for the Dhaulakuan Majra Planning Area in Sirmaur district. The plan aims to conserve natural resources and scenic beauty while promoting sustainable economic development in the region. Finally, the cabinet approved the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State Government and Alliance Air Aviation Limited for operating flights on the ShimlaDharamshalaShimla route. The MoU will now remain in effect from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.

5 Killed As Rains Lash Parts Of North India; Flash Floods Again Wreak Havoc In Himachals Mandi

New Delhi/Shimla, Jul 29: At least five people were killed over the past 24 hours and several national highways were closed as heavy rains lashed parts of north India, including Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Himachals Mandi, flash floods triggered by a cloudburst created havoc on Monday night, killing three people and burying more than 20 vehicles, officials said on Tuesday. In the national capital, severe traffic snarls and widespread waterlogging disrupted movement across the city on Tuesday after heavy [] The post 5 Killed As Rains Lash Parts Of North India; Flash Floods Again Wreak Havoc In Himachals Mandi appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Photos: Flash flood wreaks havoc in Himachals Mandi

Shimla: Flash flood triggered by cloud burst wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradeshs Mandi town on Monday night, killing three people, burying more than 20 vehicles and inundating several houses, officials said on Tuesday. Mandi received 198.6 mm of rain since Monday evening. The fury of rain was so intense that gushing waters in Sukati nallahs Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Three killed, one missing as flash flood wreaks havoc in Himachals Mandi

SHIMLA, Jul 29: Flash flood triggered by cloud burst wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradeshs Mandi town on Monday night, killing three people, burying more than 20 vehicles and inundating several houses, officials said on Tuesday. Mandi received 198.6 mm of rain since Monday evening. The fury of rain was so intense that gushing waters in Sukati nallahs (drains) flowing through the city swept huge mounds of debris which entered several locations in about five-kilometer radius and the worst affected was [] The post Three killed, one missing as flash flood wreaks havoc in Himachals Mandi appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal rains: Three dead, one injured as sudden downpour triggers flood in Mandi

CHANDIGARH: At least three people have died and one injured missing in Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rain overnight. More than 20 vehicles have been submerged and around two dozen houses partially damaged; the Chandigarh-Manali national highway, Chandigarh-Dharamsala, Mandi-Pathankot and Shimla-Mataur highways have been blocked. Sources said that a flash flood struck Mandi district early Tuesday morning. Four members of a family had reportedly come out of their house in the wee hours to shift their vehicle to a safer place, but were swept away in the sudden flood; three have been confirmed dead, while one person suffered a fracture and has been admitted to a local hospital. The incident occured on Jail Road Tungal colony in Mandi town as Sukati nullah overflowed due to sudden heavy rains and caused widespread destruction. The water entered several locations in about five-kilometer area besides the Jail Road, Saini Mohalla and Zonal hospital area. The flashflood washed away dozens of parked vehicles, while muck and debris entered homes and damaged property. Locals were caught off guard by the sudden rise in water levels. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing; teams of SDRF, volunteers and district administration are engaged in clearing debris and are trying to locate the missing person. Deputy Commissioner of Mandi, Apoorva Devgan said that rescue operations are in full swing and about 15 to 20 people have been rescued. The victims were attempting to move their vehicles to safer locations when they were washed away along with their vehicles. The body of one person was found stuck in an auto-rickshaw, he added. Devgan said that more than dozen people trapped inside their houses were rescued. The rescue teams had to break window panes and doors to rescue them as their houses were filled with mud and silt, he said. The flash floods triggered landslides, blocking the Chandigarh-Manali NH at multiple points, specifically at 4 Miles, 9 Miles near Pandoh and Dwada. Also, the Mandi-Pathankot highway is blocked due to a landslide at the Lavandi Bridge near Jogindernagar. Many other interior roads in the district have also been blocked due to landslides and water-logging. A massive landslide triggered by incessant rains blocked the National Highway near Kangra, cutting off the only main road access to Dharamsala, McLeodganj and surrounding areas. Landslides also blocked the Shimla-Mataur National Highway at Old Kangra Ghat and reports of uprooting of trees and electricity have also poured from several parts of the state. The Met office had issued an orange alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated areas of Kangra, Mandi and Kullu districts on Tuesday. It also issued a yellow warning of heavy rains at isolated places in Chamba, Shimla and Sirmaur districts on Tuesday, and Una, Kangra, Mandi and Kullu districts on Wednesday. Since the start of the monsoon season this year from June 20 till July 28, the hill state has suffered a loss of Rs 1523 crore. So far 90 people have died and 35 have gone missing in rain-related incidents and 1320 houses have been fully or partially damaged in the state. A total of 200 roads, including 121 in the disaster-hit Mandi district, were closed for vehicular traffic on Monday night. 62 power distribution transformers and 110 water supply schemes have also been affected across the state, as per the State Emergency Operation Centre. Himachal seeks urgent Central aid as rain-triggered disasters cause Rs 883 crore loss, 109 deaths

Himachal rains: Two dead, one missing as sudden downpour triggers flood in Mandi

CHANDIGARH: At least three people have died and one person has gone missing in Mandi town of Himachal Pradesh due to heavy rain overnight. More than 20 vehicles have been submerged and around two dozen houses partially damaged; the Chandigarh-Manali national highway, Chandigarh-Dharamsala, Mandi-Pathankot and Shimla-Mataur highways have been blocked. Sources said that a flash flood struck Mandi district early Tuesday morning. Four members of a family had reportedly come out of their house in the wee hours to shift their vehicle to a safer place, but were swept away in the sudden flood; the bodies of two persons were recovered, one person is missing, while another person suffered a fracture and has been admitted to a local hospital. The incident occured on Jail Road Tungal colony in Mandi town as Sukati nullah overflowed due to sudden heavy rains and caused widespread destruction. The water entered several locations in about five-kilometer area besides the Jail Road, Saini Mohalla and Zonal hospital area. The flashflood washed away dozens of parked vehicles, while muck and debris entered homes and damaged property. Locals were caught off guard by the sudden rise in water levels. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing; teams of SDRF, volunteers and district administration are engaged in clearing debris and are trying to locate the missing person. Deputy Commissioner of Mandi, Apoorva Devgan said that rescue operations are in full swing and about 15 to 20 people have been rescued, while one missing person is yet to be located. The victims were attempting to move their vehicles to safer locations when they were washed away along with their vehicles. The body of one person was found stuck in an auto-rickshaw, he added. Devgan said that more than dozen people trapped inside their houses were rescued. The rescue teams had to break window panes and doors to rescue them as their houses were filled with mud and silt, he said. The flash floods triggered landslides, blocking the Chandigarh-Manali NH at multiple points, specifically at 4 Miles, 9 Miles near Pandoh and Dwada. Also, the Mandi-Pathankot highway is blocked due to a landslide at the Lavandi Bridge near Jogindernagar. Many other interior roads in the district have also been blocked due to landslides and water-logging. A massive landslide triggered by incessant rains blocked the National Highway near Kangra, cutting off the only main road access to Dharamsala, McLeodganj and surrounding areas. Landslides also blocked the Shimla-Mataur National Highway at Old Kangra Ghat and reports of uprooting of trees and electricity have also poured from several parts of the state. The Met office had issued an orange alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated areas of Kangra, Mandi and Kullu districts on Tuesday. It also issued a yellow warning of heavy rains at isolated places in Chamba, Shimla and Sirmaur districts on Tuesday, and Una, Kangra, Mandi and Kullu districts on Wednesday. Since the start of the monsoon season this year from June 20 till July 28, the hill state has suffered a loss of Rs 1523 crore. So far 90 people have died and 35 have gone missing in rain-related incidents and 1320 houses have been fully or partially damaged in the state. A total of 200 roads, including 121 in the disaster-hit Mandi district, were closed for vehicular traffic on Monday night. 62 power distribution transformers and 110 water supply schemes have also been affected across the state, as per the State Emergency Operation Centre. Himachal seeks urgent Central aid as rain-triggered disasters cause Rs 883 crore loss, 109 deaths

Didnt Bathe For Months, Quenched Thirst Eating Ice: Kargil Braveheart Recalls

Shimla, Jul 26: We did not bathe or shave for three months and on several occasions quenched our thirst by eating ice, recalled braveheart Naik Praveen on the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas Saturday. Praveen, from the 10 JAK Rifles, said that on the evening of May 4, 1999, there were sudden orders to move to the Drass sector with only rifles as the climb was steep. After travelling all night, when we reached our destination the next morning, [] The post Didnt Bathe For Months, Quenched Thirst Eating Ice: Kargil Braveheart Recalls appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Kolkata Diary | 8th anti-submarine ship rolls out of Garden Reach

Defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has released the eighth and last ship in a series of anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts (ASW SWCs) built for the Indian Navy. The ship, named Ajay, was inaugurated at an event in Kolkata on July 21. These ships are versatile platforms and can participate in a variety of operations. Designed with low draughts, the crafts are capable of coastal operations, Low Intensity Maritime Operations, and mine-laying. These 77.6-metre-long and 10.5-metre-wide warships are also capable of full-scale sub-surface surveillance in coastal waters and pack a lethal anti-submarine armory comprising lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets and mines. Old city ghat set for renovation, deal inked In a significant step towards urban renewal and preservation of heritage spaces, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata and TNS Logi-Park Pvt Ltd have entered an agreement to breathe new life into historic Doi-Ghat at the heart of the old metropolis. Located on the banks of the Hooghly River, at the confluence of Adi Ganga stream and the main channel, Doi-Ghat derives its name from the Bengali word for curd (doi), reflecting its historical link to the local dairy trade. Once a bustling commercial hub, the ghat served as a market where curd and other goods arrived in earthen pots, especially from Howrah, renowned for its dairy produce. At the intersection of key waterways, Doi-ghat had emerged as a centre for trade and daily dialogue between rural Bengal and the emeging metropolis of Calcutta. 15 new hotels to come up in next 5 years Kolkata-based Ambuja Neotia Group announced an agreement for 15 new hotels with the Indian Hotels Company. This agreement is set to expand the partnership to over 40 hotels. The 15 new sites identified to be developed are a combination of greenfield, brownfield and conversion projects across West Bengal, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh. These include Taj resorts in Sunderban, Darjeeling, Shimla and Rabong, SeleQtions hotels in Kolkata and Siliguri and Tree of Life in Dooars in North Bengal. The projects are expected to become operational in the next five years. Kaushik Pradhan Our correspondent in West Bengal kaushik@newindianexpress.com

Himachal govt urges Centre to carry out in-depth studies on rising natural disasters in state

CHANDIGARH: The Himachal Pradesh government has urged the Centre to carry out in-depth studies, through institutions such as the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI), on the causes of natural disasters in the state. Since 2018, the state has witnessed 148 cloudbursts, 294 flash floods and over 5,000 landslides. Sources said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had recently ordered the formation of a multi-sector team comprising experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, to study the reasons behind the recent cloudbursts and flashfloods in Himachal Pradesh. A meeting of the Multi-Sectoral Central Team (MSCT), constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to investigate the increasing incidents of natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh, was held in Shimla on Thursday. Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) KK Pant said that Himachal Pradesh's geographical conditions are different from other states, making it necessary to revise the norms related to disaster recovery and rehabilitation in the region. He stressed the need for institutions such as the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to conduct in-depth studies on the causes of natural disasters while being stationed in the state. He highlighted the importance of assessing disaster-prone areas and focusing on early forecasting of such events. He said that emphasis should be laid on pre-disaster planning rather than post-disaster response in order to minimize loss of life and property. He also called for the installation of advanced sensors to improve data collection across the state. Pant said that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also been advocating for a detailed study on the increasing incidents of cloudbursts since 2023. He further emphasized the need to set up a flood forecasting unit in the state, with the support of the Central Water Commission, to enhance hydrological monitoring and study glacial lakes. Dr Neeraj from DGRE-DRDO and Atul from GSI participated in the meeting virtually. The MSCT team urged DGRE-DRDO to provide data related to high-altitude regions and asked GSI to focus more on the issues of sudden floods and landslides, which were the two major natural disasters occurring in Himachal Pradesh. Special Secretary (Revenue-Disaster Management) DC Rana gave a detailed presentation on various natural disasters in the state. He said that since 2018, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed 148 cloudbursts, 294 flash floods and over 5,000 landslides. He said that districts such as Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Mandi were extremely vulnerable to such events. He apprised the MSCT team that during 2023 alone, the estimated loss due to natural disasters in the state was nearly Rs 10,000 crore. Apart from this, the state incurs a loss of Rs 1,000-2,000 crore annually due to such events. He said that climate change was a major factor behind the increase in cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides. Senior officials from various departments of both the central and state governments were present in the meeting. On Tuesday, a cloudburst caused large-scale damage in Kaurik and Ranrgik villages of Kaza subdivision. Similarly, an incident of cloudburst was reported in the Leo nullah in the Hungrung valley of Kinnaur district on July 22. Not only these two tribal districts but the entire state is witnessing a shift in agro-climatic zoning and an adverse impact on crops and fruits. Leader of the Opposition and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakurs assembly segment of Seraj in Mandi has suffered widespread destruction and losses to the tune of around Rs 1,000 crore. He feels that climate change can be one of the reasons for this large-scale devastation and there is need for experts to examine this disturbing trend. Meanwhile, a delegation led by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, BJP MPs and MLAs from Himachal along with former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday met Union Ministers Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari to seek central assistance for restoration of the damaged infrastructure this monsoon. Nadda, who had visited the rain-ravaged parts of Mandi and Kullu district on July 7, apprised Shah about the havoc wreaked by rains on June 30. He sought assistance for reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure from Shah, who assured all possible help. The delegation also called on Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to seek liberal financial assistance for reconstruction of the damaged roads and bridges, which had suffered damage running into several hundred crores of rupees. Gadkari assured that the road infrastructure would be restored on a war footing.

Multiple private schools in Shimla receive hoax bomb threats, panic grips parents, students

CHANDIGARH: Panic gripped students and parents in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, on Tuesday after several private schools allegedly received emails threatening to blow up their premises. The threats, however, later turned out to be hoaxes. Sources said a number of prominent private schools allegedly received bomb threat emails claiming that explosives had been placed inside the school buildings. As the news broke, frantic parents called the schools to enquire about the safety of their children and rushed to pick them up. In some institutions, students were shifted to safe locations. Taking prompt action, bomb disposal squads along with local police teams reached the schools and conducted extensive searches. However, no explosives were found, and classes resumed later in the day. Sources said efforts are now underway to trace the IP address of the email sender. Police are also coordinating with their counterparts in other states that allegedly received similar threats. The situation is under control, said a police official. Earlier, similar threat emails had allegedly been sent to the Himachal Pradesh High Court, several sessions courts, the offices of deputy commissioners, the chief secretary, and the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat. The threats reportedly came via email, consistent with a broader pattern observed nationwide, where multiple judicial complexes across India have allegedly received similar threatening messages.

Multiple Private Schools In Shimla Receive Bomb Threats, Search Operations Underway

ASP Shimla Navdeep Singh confirmed the development and said all precautionary measures are in place.

Newlywed couple killed as landslides, flash floods wreak havoc in Himachal

CHANDIGARH: Heavy rainfall battered Himachal Pradesh, claiming the lives of a newlywed couple and disrupting connectivity across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extreme heavy rainfall in Shimla, Sirmaur, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts and advised people to avoid travel. Several parts of the state have been receiving heavy showers since Sunday night. The newlywed couple was killed in Chamba after a boulder crashed onto their house while they were asleep. Deputy Commissioner of Chamba, Mukesh Repaswal, said that a landslide hit two houses at Chari village of Chamba early in the morning. They had got married three months ago and were visiting the womans parental house at Chari when the incident occurred. The bodies have been recovered, he said. The heavy rainfall has also triggered landslides which have blocked the Chandigarh-Manali national highway at several points and cut off access to Kasauli, with over 401 roads shut across the state. The highway has been blocked at several locations, including Dwada, Jhalogi, Kainchi Mod, and near Pandoh in Mandi district, as well as NH-305 near Banjar in Kullu district, bringing traffic to a standstill. While the main route remains closed, an alternative route between Mandi and Kullu via Kamand and Kataula is currently open and being used to divert vehicles. Rescue and road clearance teams have been deployed to restore connectivity, but ongoing rainfall continues to hamper the efforts. As many as 401 roads across the state remain blocked due to landslides triggered by heavy rainfall, according to data released this evening by the State Emergency Operation Centre. Of these, 242 are in Mandi district, 55 in Kullu, 27 each in Shimla and Sirmaur, and 25 in Chamba. The report also noted disruptions to 682 electricity transformers and 151 water supply schemes. In Sirmaur, National Highway (NH) 707 remains blocked near Uttari due to falling debris. Meanwhile, in Solan district, traffic movement was severely disrupted as multiple routes -- including Kotli-Dharampur, Dharampur-Subathu, Dharampur-Kasauli, Jandauri-Pratha-Nabon, Kunihar-Totu, Waknaghat-Mamlig, and Kasauli-Jangeshu -- were hit by landslides following continuous rainfall. Massive traffic jams have been reported on these roads, forcing many travellers to take long detours or cancel their travel plans altogether. Most rivers and rivulets across the state are also in spate, prompting the opening of floodgates at the Larji and Kol dams as a precautionary measure. In response to the rising water levels, the administrations in Mandi and Chamba have also ordered the closure of schools in several areas of the two districts. Flash floods were reported in Churah sub-division of Chamba and Anni sub-division of Kullu following two cloudbursts. Meanwhile, a flood-like situation has emerged in several parts of Seraj in Mandi district, which had already been hit by flash floods on July 1. Continuous rainfall has forced the closure of schools in several parts of Himachal Pradesh, including Thunag sub-division in Mandi, and Kumarsain, Theog, Rohru, Jubbal, and Chopal in Shimla district. In Mandi, a vehicle was buried under a landslide near Thalot, while the Nakrod-Thalli bridge in Chamba district was washed away. In Shimla, the Jubbarhatti road was shut, leaving office-goers stranded for hours. So far this monsoon season, the state has witnessed 34 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 21 landslides, resulting in approximately Rs 1,235 crore in losses. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday spoke over the phone with the Deputy Commissioners of the affected districts to take stock of the situation caused by the ongoing spell of torrential rains. In light of the prevailing weather conditions, he directed officials to remain on alert and take proactive steps to prevent any untoward incidents. He also urged the public to stay away from rivers and nullahs. People's safety is our foremost priority. I request everyone to avoid going near water bodies and to strictly follow all advisories issued by the district administration, he said. Sukhu emphasised the importance of coordination among departments to ensure timely response in case of emergencies such as landslides, road blockages or flash floods. He directed that proper flow of essential services be ensured so that people do not face any inconvenience in their day to day activities. The chief minister also expressed grief over the death of the newly married couple at Sutaah gram panchayat of Rajnagar in Chamba district.

Parliament Monsoon session LIVE | 'World witnessed India's military might': PM on Op Sindoor ahead of Parliament session

As the Parliament session kicks off today, the Congress and INDIA bloc are set to corner the Centre over key national security concerns. Multiple MPs have submitted adjournment notices seeking urgent discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack and Indias military response through Operation Sindoor. They are also demanding clarity on former US President Donald Trumps claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan , a move that, if true, could challenge the spirit of the Shimla Agreement. Issues like internal security lapses, strategic disclosures, and alleged voter disenfranchisement in Bihar have also been flagged. The Opposition is expected to press the Prime Minister for answers on all fronts. Monsoon session: Several Congress MPs give notices to discuss Pahalgam attack, Op Sindoor VIDEO | PM Narendra Modi ( @narendramodi ) says, This monsoon session stands as a celebration of triumph. The world has witnessed the strength of Indias military might. The Indian Army achieved complete success in 'Operation Sindoor'. Within just 22 minutes, the homes of key pic.twitter.com/OPwaJ3y2pP Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 21, 2025 PM Modi speaks ahead of Monsoon session Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the Monsoon session of Parliament will showcase pride and national achievement, highlighting Indias strides in defence, economy, and social welfare. Addressing the media ahead of the session, PM Modi pointed to Indias success in Operation Sindoor, saying the military operation demonstrated a new form of Made in India military power to the world. The houses of the masters of terrorists were razed to the ground within 22 minutes. The world is seeing the strength of Indias military resolve, he said, calling the campaign a symbol of 100% mission success. He also noted Indias recent landmark achievement in space, referencing the country's first human step on the International Space Station, calling it another point of national pride. On the domestic front, Modi said India had shed its past tag of being part of the Fragile Five economies and was now on track to becoming the third-largest economy in the world. In 2014, India was ranked 10th globally. Today, it is moving rapidly towards the third position, he said. The Prime Minister highlighted the transformation of internal security as well. Our forces, with new confidence and resolve, are pushing back naxalism. The red corridors are now turning into green growth zones, he said, asserting that the Indian Constitution is triumphing over extremism. On inflation, PM Modi said the country had made significant progress since 2014. There was a time when inflation was in double digits. Today, its around 2%. This has brought great relief to ordinary citizens, he noted, adding that 25 crore people have come out of poverty, a fact appreciated by global institutions. He also spoke about the symbolic significance of the monsoon season. Monsoon is a symbol of innovation and new creation. It brings new energy to agriculture and to the countrys economy, especially the rural and household sectors, he said. Calling it a session of celebration and victory, PM Modi said peace and progress had defined the past decade and reiterated the governments commitment to continue delivering results across sectors.

Monsoon session: Several Congress MPs give notices to discuss Pahalgam attack, Op Sindoor

NEW DELHI: With the Monsoon session of Parliament commencing on Monday, several MPs of the Congress and other opposition parties have given adjournment notices in both houses for a discussion on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. The Congress and INDIA bloc parties are seeking to corner the government during this session by raising issues like the Pahalgam attack, Trump's repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire with Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, and the Special Intensive Review of electoral rolls in Bihar, among others. Congress Rajya Sabha member Randeep Surjewala gave a notice under Rule 267 to discuss in the upper house the April 22 terror attack and Operation Sindoor. In his notice, he urged the Chairman to suspended all business of the day as well as the Question Hour to discuss the concerns regarding the attack in Pahalgam and India's response through Operation Sindoor. Another Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury has given an adjournment notice under Rule 267. She sought to discuss the grave lapses in internal security that led to the terror attack, resulting in tragic loss of innocent lives, cross-border terror emanating from Pakistan; and to deliberate on the foreign policy actions of the government following the ceasefire with Pakistan after Operation Sindoor. The matter becomes even more serious in light of former US President Donald Trump's repeated public statements, made 24 times so far, most recently on July 19, claiming that he personally mediated the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and used trade leverage to end hostilities, she said in the notice. Such assertions, if true, would violate the provisions of the Shimla Agreement, which prohibits third-party mediation on India-Pakistan matters. The people of India deserve to know whether the Shimla agreement remains in place or not, she said. Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, filed an adjournment notice, demanding a discussion on the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. I seek to move an adjournment of the business of the House to discuss a matter of urgent national importance: the terror attack in Pahalgam, India's military response through Operation Sindoor, and the political and diplomatic developments that followed, he said. Gogoi said the events that followed Operation Sindoor have raised serious concerns requiring immediate and detailed deliberation in the lower house. First, the sudden announcement of a ceasefire after the operation has created confusion about its terms, timing, and stakeholders. The President of the United States made controversial claims suggesting the ceasefire was externally brokered and that he personally intervened with Pakistan's military leadership. These statements, if unchallenged, risk undermining India's sovereign standing in regional security, he said in the notice. Gogoi also said that the Chief of Defence Staff made public remarks on the nature and location of Operation Sindoor at an international forum, raising questions about the protocols governing strategic disclosures. A comprehensive discussion is essential to uphold democratic accountability, maintain institutional trust, and clarify India's national security and diplomatic posture. I hereby request permission to raise the matter, he said in his notice. Meanwhile, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Naseer Hussain gave a notice to suspend all the business of the house to discuss the issue and concerns arising out of the special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar ahead of the assembly elections there. He alleged that the ECs plan to conduct a similar exercise nationwide including disenfranchisement of a large section of the poor and marginalised, directly undermine the citizens' right to vote and erode the fairness and integrity of our electoral system. The opposition will be seeking answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on all these issues.

Woman marries two brothers in Himachal, keeps polyandry tradition alive

Nahan/Shimla: Two brothers of the Hatti tribe tied the knot to a woman in Shillai village of Himachal Pradesh, with hundreds of people witnessing the marriage solemnised under the anachronistic tradition of polyandry. Bride Sunita Chauhan and grooms Pradeep and Kapil Negi said they took the decision without any pressure. Local folk songs and dances Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Orange alert issued in Himachal Pradesh; roads blocked, Kinnar Kailash Yatra postponed

SHIMLA: Several roads were blocked and the ongoing Kinnar Kailash Yatra halted due to incessant rains in Himachal Pradesh on Friday. The pilgrimage to Kinnar Kailash, the winter abode of Lord Shiva located at an altitude of 19.850 feet in Kinnaur district, commenced on July 15 and was to continue till August 30. However, the rains have rendered the journey unsafe and hence the pilgrimage stands halted until the weather clears up and the route is declared safe, Kinnaur Police said. The Lahaul and Spiti administration has also temporarily suspended bike rides on the Manali-Leh highway until further orders. Torrential rains have led to the closure of around 250 roads in Himachal Pradesh. Accoring to the State Emergency Operation Centre, 181 roads were closed in disaster-hit Mandi, 26 in Sirmaur and 23 in Kullu district, while 61 water supply schemes and 81 power distribution transformers were affected as of Friday morning. The local meteorological office has issued an orange alert for 'heavy' to 'very heavy' rainfall in isolated areas of the state on July 21 and 23, officials said. A yellow alert has been issued for 'heavy' rains at isolated places till Sunday. Meanwhile, 'light' to 'moderate' rains lashed parts of the state on Thursday evening. Himachal seeks urgent Central aid as rain-triggered disasters cause Rs 883 crore loss, 109 deaths Jogindernagar received 40 mm of rain, Sarahan 38 mm, Jatton Barrage 28.6 mm, Kothi 28.4 mm, Shilaroo 26.4 mm, Murari Devi 26 mm, Narkanda 25.5 mm, Jot 23 mm, Poanta Sahib 22.2 mm, Dharamshala 21 mm, Palampur 19.8 mm, Kufri 18.1 mm, Shimla 16.6 mm, Dhaulakuan 14 mm, Manali 12.2 mm, Jubbarhatti 12 mm and Solan 11.2 mm Kangra and Palampur witnessed thunderstorms while Kufri and Bajaura saw gusty winds with speeds ranging from 37 to 39 kilometres per hour. The State Emergency Operation Centre said that from the onset of monsoon on June 20 to July 17, around 112 people have lost their lives -- 67 in rain-related incidents and 45 in road accidents. Around 199 people have been injured, while 35 are missing, it added. Himachal Pradesh, which has witnessed 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts and 19 landslides this monsoon, has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 1,220 crore, the department said. Meanwhile, officials said search operations are still continuing to trace the 27 people who were washed away in the cloudburst and landslides that hit parts of Mandi district on June 30 night. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the state government is working around the clock to provide relief and rehabilitation to people affected by natural disasters. Sukhu said that Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur is in constant touch with him, as his constituency Seraj has suffered extensive damages. Besides Seraj, other areas including Dharampur, Karsog and Nachan have also been severely affected by the rains, Sukhu said in a statement, adding that Union ministers have been apprised in detail about the situation in these regions during his recent Delhi visit. I hope the people of the state will receive some relief when the Union Home Minister visits Himachal Pradesh, the chief minister added. He emphasised that rehabilitation of the affected people is a prime responsibility of the state government. Non-forest lands will be allocated to them, as the allocation of forest lands would require approval from the Central government. The state's priority is to reopen roads in the disaster-hit regions to ensure farmers and horticulturists can transport apples, vegetables and other produce to the markets without hindrance, Sukhu said. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri informed that the Himachal Road Transport Corporation has resumed mini bus services on several routes in Seraj from Friday.

Himachal Chief Minister Unfurls 108-Feet Flag At Jakhu Hanuman Temple

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday unfurled a 108-feet-tall religious flag (pataka) at the historic Jakhu Hanuman Temple in Shimla.

Himachal: 250 roads closed due to heavy downpour; Met issues orange alert

Shimla, Jul 18: Heavy rains have led to the closure of 250 roads in Himachal Pradesh and the local meteorological office has issued an orange alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas of the state, officials on Friday said. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said that a total of 181 roads are closed in disaster-hit Mandi, 26 in Sirmaur and 23 in Kullu district, while 61 water supply schemes and 81 power distribution transformers were affected [] The post Himachal: 250 roads closed due to heavy downpour; Met issues orange alert appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal: Landslide blocks NH 707; more downpour expected

SHIMLA, July 16: A landslide near Shillai in Himachals Sirmaur district on Wednesday blocked National Highway 707 (Hatkoti to Paonta) as a huge part of the mountain fell, completely blocking vehicular movement. Restoration work is underway, but debris falling from the mountain is obstructing the work, officials said. This has led to long queues of vehicles on both sides of the slide. Nearly 260 roads, including NH 707, are closed in the state, with 140 in disaster-hit Mandi district, [] The post Himachal: Landslide blocks NH 707; more downpour expected appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

After Shimla and Manali this road in Himachal becomes a new tourist spot: Watch viral video

A road in Himachal Pradesh has become a spectacle. Electricity poles stand in the road's center. A viral video highlighted this unusual infrastructure. The video draws comparison with similar incidents. This has triggered online reactions. People are questioning the planning and coordination. The incident raises concerns about government infrastructure projects. It also highlights the need for better inter-departmental communication.

Govt School Teacher In Himachals Shimla Booked For Alleged Sexual Assault Of Minor

A Shimla government school teacher has been booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a sixth-grade student. The victim's mother reported it, and a case was registered.

Four die in Himachal, five in Rajasthan's Kota as rain plays havoc

NEW DELHI: Four people died in Himachal Pradesh as rain continues to wreak havoc in the state, while five were swept away in Rajasthan's Kota at a barrage after a heavy downpour caused the authorities to release water from a reservoir. In Himachal, more than 200 roads are out of bounds for vehicular traffic, a majority of them in Mandi, while a flash flood warning has been issued for 12 districts in Jharkhand. An individual each drowned in Kullu and Kangra districts, one died after being bitten by a snake in Bilaspur, while one was killed after falling from a height, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said. Since the onset of monsoon on June 20, 61 people have died in the state in rain-related incidents. In Rajasthan, Khatauli in Kota district recorded 198 mm of rain over 24 hours, the highest in the state. Five youths were swept away in the Chambal River Monday afternoon after the water level suddenly rose following the release of water from 12 gates of the Kota Barrage. The identity of the five missing youths is yet to be confirmed, as the rescued individual is not in a condition to provide detailed information at this stage, Digod Police Station SHO Purshottam Mehta said. Due to continuous rainfall in the region, the authorities opened all 12 gates of the Kota Barrage at 11.30 am on Monday, releasing approximately 2.2692 lakh cusecs of water downstream, said Nisha Sharma, Junior Engineer at Kota Barrage. A met department official said that a circulation system over Madhya Pradesh has intensified into a low-pressure area. Due to the system, parts of Kota, Ajmer, Jodhpur, and Udaipur divisions have seen heavy rain since yesterday. Delhi got a decent drizzle towards the evening, lifting the heavy humid pall it had sweltered under during the day. According to IMD data, Lodhi Road recorded the highest cumulative rainfall at 18.5 mm till 8.30 am on Monday. Pragati Maidan received 24.3 mm of rain, Ayanagar, 15.5 mm, Safdarjung, 15.8 mm, and Palam, 8.5 mm. In Himachal Pradesh, 208 roads, including 157 in the disaster-hit Mandi district, are closed for vehicular traffic, while 745 water supply schemes and 139 power distribution transformers were affected. The local Met office has issued an Orange alert of heavy to very heavy rain in Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur on Monday, and Shimla, Solan, and Sirmaur on Tuesday. It issued a Yellow alert, meaning heavy rain, for at least three of the 12 districts till Friday. In Odisha, the weather department forecasted heavy rainfall in 19 of the 30 districts, as a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a well-marked system. The India Meteorological Department cautioned fishermen not to venture into the sea for the next 24 hours in the north Bay of Bengal, as squally winds, blowing at 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, were likely to prevail along and off north Odisha. A red warning was issued for extremely heavy rain, above 20 centimetres, in Mayurbhanj, Keonhar and Sundargarh. Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore were predicted to receive 12 cm to 20 cm of rain. The remaining districts were forecasted to witness 7-11 cm of precipitation. Kolkata is likely to experience spells of light to moderate rain or thundershowers over the next 24 hours. Light to moderate rain is likely across South Bengal districts, as a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify into a low-pressure area within the next 24 hours, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre here. In Jharkhand, a flash flood warning was issued for Bokaro, East Singhbhum, Garhwa, Gumla, Khunti, Latehar, Lohardaga, Palamu, Ranchi, Saraikela, Simdega, and West Singhbhum districts till 11.30 am on Tuesday. Surface runoff and inundation may occur in some low-lying areas, the IMD said. A Red alert was sounded for heavy to extremely heavy rain in Saraikela-Kharswan, East Singhbhum, and West Singhbhum districts, and an Orange alert for Gumla, Khunti, and Simdega districts till 8.30 am on Tuesday. The weather office has issued a Yellow alert for heavy rain in Ranchi, Lohardaga, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Jamtara, Hazaribag, Giridih, Koderma, and Deoghar till 8.30 am tomorrow. Ranchi Meteorological Centre Deputy Director Abhishek Anand said the state is likely to experience widespread rainfall till July 17 under the influence of a depression and monsoon trough.

Assets Worth Over Rs 200 Crore Attached In Manav Bharti University Fake Degree Scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Shimla has provisionally attached seven immovable properties worth Rs 1.74 crore (as per sale deed value) under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Yellow Alert, Flash Flood Warning Issued As Rain Batters Himachal; Landslide On Badrinath Route

The weather department has sounded alert for Shimla, Manali, Kullu and other districts of Himachal Pradesh.

Nadda visits disaster-hit Mandi in HP, says Centre taking all steps to to provide relief

SHIMLA, Jul 9 : The Union government will leave no stone unturned to provide relief to the disaster-affected people of Himachal Pradeshs Mandi and rehabilitate them, BJP president JP Nadda said on Wednesday after visiting the areas ravaged by cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides. Fifteen people died and five were injured while a search is on to trace the 27 people who went missing after 10 cloudbursts, followed by flash floods and landslide hit Mandi region on the intervening night [] The post Nadda visits disaster-hit Mandi in HP, says Centre taking all steps to to provide relief appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Bomb hoax emails trigger evacuation of court complexes across Himachal Pradesh

CHANDIGARH: Panic gripped several district court complexes in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday after anonymous emails threatened to blow up the premises in Shimla, Nahan, Kullu, and Rampur. The threats led to the immediate evacuation of court buildings and a full-scale security response. However, no explosives were found, and court proceedings later resumed. According to sources, the email received by the district court in Shimla claimed that explosives had been planted on the premises and warned of imminent Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and suicide bomb attacks. In response, bomb disposal squads, sniffer dogs, and police personnel carried out a thorough search of the premises. The entire complex was evacuated as a precaution. Similar threat emails were also received at the District and Sessions Court complexes in Kullu and Nahan. These buildings were also evacuated, and extensive searches were conducted, but no suspicious materials were discovered. Staff, lawyers, and members of the public were safely escorted from all affected premises. Kullu Superintendent of Police, Karthikeyan Gokulachandran, stated that the local police are working in coordination with the cybercrime unit to trace the origin of the emails. Security has been tightened across the district, particularly at key government buildings, he said. Shimla SP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi confirmed that multiple locations, including Rampur, received similar email threats. Preventative measures were immediately undertaken, and police teams, led by DSP-level officers, were dispatched to the sites, he said. The Himachal Pradesh Police are also liaising with other states that have recently experienced similar threats. The Nahan Court Complex in Sirmaur district was also evacuated after receiving a threat email in the morning. Panic spread quickly, but authorities managed the evacuation in an orderly fashion. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the emails had been sent using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), complicating efforts to identify the sender. The states cyber cell has been tasked with tracking the origin and determining the credibility of the threats. This is not the first time such hoax threats have disrupted official functioning in Himachal Pradesh. In recent months, similar email threats were sent to the Chief Secretarys Office at the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat, as well as to the offices of the Deputy Commissioners of Mandi, Chamba, and Hamirpur. One of the emails even threatened a suicide bombing at the Himachal Pradesh High Court. Authorities have reassured the public that the situation is under control and that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the safety and security of public institutions.

We share a border with Tibet, not China: Arunachal CM Pema Khandu counters Beijings claims

NEW DELHI: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has shown that two can play that game when it comes to name mangling. In a subtle geopolitical mic drop, Khandu said during an interview with PTI Videos that his state does not share a border with China. If that sounds factually ignorant, think again. In fact, the 1,200 km international border in Arunachal Pradesh is with Tibet, not with China, he pointed out to the interviewer. Touche! His statement comes amidst sensitivities surrounding the region and China's assertive claims over Arunachal Pradesh as well as its frequent renaming of places in the state. When suggested that Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,200 km border with China, Khandu quickly intervened and said, Let me correct you here. We share a border with Tibet and not China. Officially, Tibet is under China now. That can't be ruled out. But originally, we share a border with Tibet. And in Arunachal Pradesh, we share three international boundaries -- with Bhutan, approximately 150 km, with Tibet, around 1,200 km, which is one of the longest in the country, and on the eastern side, with Myanmar, around 550 km, he said. The chief minister insisted that no state in India directly shares a border with China, only with Tibet, and that region was forcibly occupied by China in the 1950s. Khandu said historical facts back the fact it was an Indo-Tibet border and referred to the Shimla Convention of 1914 in which representatives of British India, China and Tibet participated. On China's habit of giving its own names to places in Arunachal Pradesh, he said the neighbouring country has renamed places not once but five times. I think the last time they renamed many places in Arunachal... if I am not mistaken, I think this was their fifth attempt in total. So it is not surprising for us. We know China's habit, and I think officially the MEA has dealt with it and has given them a reply, he said.

25-Year-Old Man Rapes Grandmother At Her House In Shimla, Arrested

A 25-year-old man allegedly raped his 65-year-old grandmother in Shimla. The incident was reported by the victim, leading to the man's arrest. The case is under investigation.

Sharp decline in yield as mysterious fungal infection hits apple crops in Himachal Pradesh

CHANDIGARH: The torrential rains and the harsh weather have impacted the apple industry of the state as a severe fungal disease has hit the apple plants, causing apple leaves to turn yellow and fall prematurely, leading to a sharp decline in yield. It is estimated that around 35 to 40 per cent of apple trees in each orchard are affected. The size and quality of the fruit are likely to be impacted. After Kashmir, the hill state is the second largest producer of apples in the country, with a substantial market share of around 25 per cent. The apple industry in the state amounts to Rs 5,000 crore. Talking to TNIE , Harish Chauhan, a leading apple grower and the convener of the Kisan Samyukt Manch, said, The teams of experts from the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry at Nauni will assess the damage and check which fungal infection has hit the apple crop. The teams are visiting today and tomorrow at different apple orchards, but we estimate that around 35 to 40 per cent apple trees in each orchard are affected by the fungal infection, he added. He claimed that this year, it is suspected that Alternaria leaf spot fungal infection has hit the apple crop, as Alternaria blotch primarily damages leaves of apple plants, resulting in premature defoliation and damage to fruit. Due to this fungal infection, the size of the apple remains small. The quality is bad, and there is a decline in the yield. This fungus spreads in the apple crop due to high rainfall and high moisture levels, said Chauhan. The delegation of apple growers had yesterday met the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and apprised him of this fast-spreading disease and he ordered the university to dispatch teams of experts to the affected areas immediately, Chauhan added. He said the same fungal infection affected the apple crops in 2023 when the state was devastated by natural calamities due to heavy monsoons. The same disease affected the apples on a large scale but at a lesser magnitude. The other problem is of the fungicides being used by the apple growers to control the fungal diseases, as many of them are at times duplicate and their residue period is of 10 to 15 days only, we demand a proper check on this, said Chauhan. Meanwhile, Dr Usha Sharma, a senior scientist of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Shimla said that alternaria and other leaf-spot diseases had attacked several orchards in the main apple belt of Kotkhai, Jubbal and Rohru. She said that the disease was more severe in orchards where the leaves of the plants had become vulnerable due to mite infestation or other factors such as canker, root disease or unbalanced use of fertilizers. A delegation of apple growers called Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu yesterday and apprised him of a new disease rapidly spreading in apple orchards, causing significant damage to their crops. The delegation urged Sukhu to take prompt action to investigate and control this issue. Chief Minister Sukhu spoke with the Vice Chancellor of Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni over the phone and directed him to dispatch the expert teams of the University to the affected areas without any delay. He instructed that the disease be scientifically investigated and that orchardists be educated on preventive and control measures on the ground. Sukhu emphasized that the disease was spreading rapidly and causing financial losses to the growers and it was imperative to address the situation swiftly. He asked the Vice Chancellor to submit a detailed report to the state government within seven days so that the appropriate measures could be taken at the earliest.

Raipur Diary | Investment in aerospace, defence and space

Mineral and agriculture-rich Chhattisgarh looks to be the new bastion of technological innovation and strategic industries. Under its new industrial development policy for 2024-30, the state has taken momentous decisions to attract investment in strategic sectors, including defence, aerospace, and space technology. These decisions include state GST reimbursement of up to 100%, as well as substantial subsidies and other facilities. The Cabinet has announced a separate industrial incentive package for these advanced technologies, cited as a decisive step towards encouraging the establishment and expansion of cutting-edge industries. MoU on multiple projects to boost growth In an MoU with the government, Jindal Steel Chhattisgarh Ltd proposes to invest Rs 1,05,358 crore for multiple projects in Raigarh. The projects aim to drive economic growth, generating employment and fostering sustainable industrial development. They include a 500-MW solar power plant, a 2,400-MW thermal power plant, and a steel plant with an annual capacity of 7.5 million tons. These are vital for manufacturing, infrastructure, and energy generation, driving the states economic growth. The new industrial policy has attracted encouraging investment proposals from several key conglomerates across diverse sectors. Sarguja Collector bans alcohol for BJP session The Sarguja collector does not wish to take chances on the matter of law and order during the BJPs ongoing three-day training session, from July 7, for its elected MPs and MLAs at Mainpat in his district. So, he issued a strict order to ban the sale, transport and serving of liquor in Mainpat, which is 350 km north of Raipur, for three days. Collector Vilas Bhoskar stated he took the decision given the arrival of high-profile visitors and dignitaries from the Centre and the state to the town, which is known as the Shimla of Chhattisgarh. There will be 12 sessions during the three-day event, which party chief JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also attend. Ejaz Kaiser Our correspondent in Chhattisgarh ejaz@newindianexpress.com

Himachal receives 'yellow' alert; risk of low to moderate flash floods across seven districts in next 24 hours

CHANDIGARH: As heavy rains continue to lash Himachal Pradesh, the local meteorological department on Tuesday issued a warning stating that there is a risk of low to moderate flash floods in the next twenty four hours in parts of seven districts including Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur. A 'yellow' alert warning of heavy rains in isolated places across the state till next Monday has also been issued. The state has received 203.2 mm of rain against the normal of 152.6 mm from June 1 to July 8. Monsoon arrived in Himachal Pradesh on June 20. While Mandi district recorded 110 per cent excess rain, Shimla received 89 per cent and Una 86 per cent during this period. Many parts of the hill state have been receiving moderate to heavy rain since Monday evening. Meanwhile Gohar has recorded 85 mm of rainfall, followed by 84.5 mm in Sarahan, 60 mm in Baijnath, 54.2 mm in Nahan, 48 mm in Poanta Sahib, 46.2 mm in Naina Devi, 37 mm in Kasauli, 28 mm in Jogindernagar and 27.2 mm in Palampur. As per the data with the State Emergency Operation Centre in Mandi district, 14 people have lost their lives, four injured, 28 missing and 290 rescued, while 466 houses have been damaged and 477 people are in relief camps. A total of 225 roads, including 153 in the worst-hit Mandi district, have been closed, while 163 transformers and 174 water supply schemes have been affected in the state. 23 flash floods, 19 cloudbursts and 16 landslides have been recorded since the onset of monsoon on June 20. Since then, 85 deaths were recorded in the state, of which 52 were due to rain-related incidents and 28 fatalities were caused by road accidents. In Mandi district, search and rescue operations have been intensified as drones and sniffer dogs are being used to trace 28 people who went missing last week in Thunag, Gohar and Karsog subdivisions. So far, the estimated losses due to rains stand at around Rs 692 crore.

Himachal rains: Rescue operations on to trace 30 missing after cloudbursts, landslides in Mandi

SHIMLA: Search and rescue operations are underway with drones and sniffer dogs being used to trace 30 people who went missing after cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides wreaked havoc in the Thunag, Gohar and Karsog subdivisions of Mandi district last week, officials said on Monday. About 250 personnel from the National and State Disaster Response Forces, Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and Home Guards, along with the administration and locals, are undertaking the search and rescue work. Besides, 20 teams are gathering information and distributing ration and medical kits in inaccessible areas, officials said. So far, 1,538 ration kits have been distributed to the affected people and immediate relief of Rs 12.44 lakh has been provided. An additional Rs 5 lakh each is being sent to the Thunag and Janjheli areas, they added. About 225 houses, seven shops, 243 cattle sheds, 31 vehicles, 14 bridges and several roads were damaged in the disaster. A total of 215 cattle have perished, while 494 people have been rescued, as per the latest report. Till Sunday evening, 243 roads were closed in the state, of which 183 are in Mandi district alone. Additionally, 241 transformers and 278 water supply schemes were affected in Himachal Pradesh, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), the officials said. Meanwhile, light to moderate rain lashed parts of the state. Nangal Dam received 56 mm of rain, followed by Olinda (46 mm), Berthin (44.6 mm), Una (43 mm), Naina Devi (36.4 mm), Gohar (29 mm) and Brahmani (28.4 mm). The local Met office has issued a yellow warning of heavy rain at isolated places in the state till July 10 (Thursday). The estimated losses due to the rains so far stand at around Rs 572 crore, as per the SEOC, though the chief minister maintained the figure was close to Rs 700 crore as data was still being compiled. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 20, the state has reported 78 deaths, of which 50 were linked to rain-related incidents such as cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides. As many as 121 people have sustained injuries so far. Himachal government to provide Rs 5000 as monthly rent for families affected in recent rain-related calamities

Collector bans sale, serving of liquor at Chhattisgarh's Mainpat as BJPs three-day training camp commences

RAIPUR: The Sarguja collector in Chhattisgarh has issued an order imposing a total ban on the sale, transport and serving of liquor at Mainpat, about 350 km north of Raipur. A three-day training camp for the state BJPs MPs and MLAs began here on Monday. Collector Vilas Bhoskarkept in mind the issue of law & order and public peace, while placing the directive. The district magistrate stated that the decision has been taken keeping in view the arrival of high-profile visitors, dignitaries from the Centre and the state at Ropakhar in Mainpat, which is also cited as Shimla of Chhattisgarh. Owing to the visit of central and state-level special dignitaries and guests, a dry day will be strictly imposed from July 7 till 2 PM on July 9, considering the preparatory measures on law & order and public peace in the region, the order stated. The structured sessions harmonising the practical strategies with the ideals of the BJP will be addressed by the party president JP Nadda on the opening day. All Members of Parliament, legislators and ministers will attend the party's training camp, where, besides the elected members, the senior leaders will be guided on sharpening strategy politically, digital outreach, an emphasis on achieving good governance among other things, a senior BJP functionary said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to attend the session on the final day.

Himachal CM urges Centre to explore feasibility of opening Shipki-La route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday urged the Centre to explore the feasibility of opening the Shipki-La route in the state for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the chief minister mentioned that Shipki-La region has served as a vital Indo-Tibetan trade route, predating modern borders. He said that it has also been a cultural corridor for Tibetan Buddhism and ancient pilgrimage paths reflecting India's enduring civilizational ties to Kailash and Mansarovar. Kinnaur region of Himachal Pradesh being semi-arid and situated in a rain shadow zone like Spiti, is less prone to monsoon disruptions which keeps the route accessible for most of the year. The path from Shipki-La via Gartok towards Darchen and Mansarovar is comparatively shorter on the Tibetan side. Shipki-La also offers a more stable and unambiguous corridor, making it well suited as a long-term, dependable corridor for pilgrimage and cross-border connectivity, he said. The chief minister also noted that Himachal Pradesh already has road connectivity up to Shipki-La via Rampur and Pooh. With focused development of base camps and supporting infrastructure, this route can be seamlessly integrated into the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra framework. The opening of this route would significantly contribute to the socio-economic upliftment of the tribal people of Kinnaur, aligning with the government's vision for border development and tourism promotion under the Vibrant Village Programme, he said. The CM said that the state government would extend all logistical and administrative coordination to the Central Government if the Shipki-La route is opened for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

Congress wont return to power in 20 years if relief work goes on like this: Kangana in Mandi

Shimla, Jul 6: BJP Lok Sabha MP from Mandi, Kangana Ranaut, on Sunday visited her rain-ravaged constituency and asserted that the way relief work is being undertaken, the Congress will not return to power in the state in even 20 years. She also said that as an MP, she could only apprise the prime minister of the situation. I am deeply pained to see the plight of the people. They have lost family members, houses have been washed away, several [] The post Congress wont return to power in 20 years if relief work goes on like this: Kangana in Mandi appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

HP: Met issues red alert for extremely heavy rains in 3 districts on Sunday, about 240 roads closed

An 'orange' warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places has been issued for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Solan, Shimla and Kullu districts

Red alert issued in Himachal Pradesh for Sunday

It also warned of low to moderate flash-flood risk in parts of five districts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur in the next 24 hours

Enduring symbol of love and compassion: Modi wishes Dalai Lama on 90th birthday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed birthday wishes to the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday, acknowledging him as a symbol of love, compassion, and moral discipline. Special prayers were offered by Tibetan Buddhist monks in exile at the Dorjidak Monastery near Shimla.

Dalai Lama's 90th Birthday: Tibetan monks in exile offers special prayers in Shimla, PM Modi extends wishes to spiritual leader

On the occassion of 90th birthday of 14th Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhist monks living in exile offered special prayers at the Dorjidak Monastery near Shimla at Panthaghati. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended birthday greetings.

All 4 NH projects to be completed by 2028, Central funds not being fully utilised by HP: Nadda

Shimla, Jul 5: The construction of three out of four National Highways is in an advanced stage in Himachal Pradesh and major works would be completed in the next two years, Union Health Minister J P Nadda said in Bilaspur on Saturday. About 2,593 km long, four National Highways are being constructed in the state at an estimated cost of about Rs 38,000 crore. Addressing reporters, Nadda also lashed out at the state government for not utilising the funds allocated [] The post All 4 NH projects to be completed by 2028, Central funds not being fully utilised by HP: Nadda appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

72 dead, 37 missing as Monsoon fury continues in Himachal

Shimla, July 5: Relentless rains, landslides, and flash floods have left 72 people dead with and 37 still missing in Himachal Pradesh, according to the latest figures from the State Emergency Operation Centre. Another 113 persons have been injured, while 27 deaths have occurred in road accidents since the beginning of the monsoon season. The [] The post 72 dead, 37 missing as Monsoon fury continues in Himachal appeared first on Northlines .

Meet actor who sang in trains, at weddings, insulted by Karan Johar, removed from shows, is now top Bollywod star; he is...

During college, this actor did theatre for five years and even performed at the famous Gaiety Theatre in Shimla. To support himself, he sang at weddings and on trains.

Monsoon Fury leaves 69 dead, 37 missing in Himachal

SHIMLA, July 4 : Torrential rains and landslides across Himachal Pradesh have claimed 69 lives so far, with 37 people still missing, while the number of injured has risen to 110, according to official data from the State Emergency Operation Centre. The disaster has left a trail of destruction across several districts, triggering flash floods, slope failures, and infrastructure collapse. The worst-affected district, Mandi, reported 20 deaths, while Kangra recorded 13, followed by Chamba (7), Shimla (5), and Una (5). [] The post Monsoon Fury leaves 69 dead, 37 missing in Himachal appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

63 dead, dozens missing as Monsoon triggers devastation across Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA, July 4: At least 63 people have died and dozens are missing as relentless monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across Himachal Pradesh, triggering flash floods, landslides, and cloudbursts, officials confirmed Thursday. A heavy rain alert remains in effect across all districts until Monday, July 7, with authorities intensifying relief, rescue, and restoration efforts, [] The post 63 dead, dozens missing as Monsoon triggers devastation across Himachal Pradesh appeared first on Northlines .

Death toll in Mandi cloudburst mounts to 14; search on for 31 missing

SHIMLA, Jul 3 : With the recovery of one more body, the death toll in the cloudburst and flash flood-related incidents in Mandi has mounted to 14, officials said on Thursday. Five people were injured, while a search is underway for 31 missing, they said. The latest body, yet to be identified, was found in Rode in the Thunag subdivision of the district. Ten cloudbursts, three flash floods and a landslide were witnessed in different parts of Mandi on Tuesday. [] The post Death toll in Mandi cloudburst mounts to 14; search on for 31 missing appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Video: Landslide hits Shimla's Lindi Dhar village; monsoon mayhem continues across Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is grappling with relentless monsoon rains, triggering a landslide in Lindi Dhar village, Shimla. The state has reported at least 51 deaths since June 20 due to floods, landslides, and road accidents. Mandi district is severely affected, with 13 fatalities and 29 missing after cloudbursts and flash floods.

Who is Achal Jindal? NHAI officer allegedly assaulted by Himachal Minister following Shimla building collapse

Jindal is recognised as one of the country's dedicated officers, having earned his position through hard work and perseverance.

Himachal Minister denies assault allegations, demands probe into NHAIs negligence after building collapse

CHANDIGARH: A day after a case was registered against Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh for allegedly assaulting and threatening two officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the minister has denied the allegations and demanded a high-level inquiry into alleged irregularities in road construction in the state. Singh, addressing the media on Tuesday, claimed that the First Information Report (FIR) against him was a deliberate attempt to divert attention from the Bhattakuffar building collapse in Shimla, which he alleged occurred due to the NHAIs negligence and excessive hill-cutting during ongoing construction. He strongly denied all allegations, stating, A case does not make one guilty. The minister alleged widespread malpractice and corruption among NHAI officials, accusing them of colluding with private contractors and using substandard materials. He claimed that over 700 complaints have been submitted to Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) and Deputy Commissioners in Shimla alone, but no concrete action has been taken. Himachal Minister Anirudh Singh booked for alleged assault on NHAI officials following building collapse The NHAI is digging beyond the acquired land, Singh said. In Bhattakuffar, a building collapsed on June 30, and eight other buildings have been damaged and had to be vacated. The quality of construction is highly questionable. Referring to Union Minister Nitin Gadkaris comments condemning the alleged assault, Singh stated that Gadkari was not fully informed about the ground situation. He added that he plans to meet Gadkari soon to highlight the alleged corrupt practices of NHAI officials and urge the Central Government to frame a compensation policy for those affected by substandard and negligent construction. He also expressed concern about dangerous slope cutting practices in areas like Shimla-Parwanoo, Mandi, Kangra, and Jogindernagar, claiming that slopes are being cut at near-vertical 90-degree angles, while retaining walls are only 8 to 10 feet high leading to frequent landslides and structural damage. The case against Singh was filed at Dhalli Police Station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 132 (voluntarily causing hurt), 121(1) (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging duty), 126(5) (wrongful restraint or confinement by a public servant), 352 (assault otherwise than on grave provocation), and 3(2) (liability of abettors in acts committed with common intention). The complaint was lodged by Achal Jindal Singh, who alleged that the minister assaulted him and his colleague, site engineer Yogesh Verma, inside a room in Bhattakuffar, Chamyana. According to Jindal, they had been summoned under the pretext of a meeting but were instead physically attacked. The alleged assault incident occurred shortly after a multi-storey building collapsed in Chamyana, reportedly due to ongoing four-lane highway construction by NHAI. Meanwhile, two more FIRs have been registered against NHAI and private contractor Gawar Construction Company by residents of Chamyana, alleging unscientific and negligent construction. Locals claim that their houses are now at risk due to the ongoing roadwork. Earlier, another case was filed against the same company and the NHAI following a complaint by Ranjana Verma, whose multi-storey house collapsed on Monday, citing similar allegations of negligence. As investigations continue on both sides, tensions remain high in the region, with residents and political figures alike calling for accountability and transparency in infrastructure development projects.

10 dead, 34 missing following flash floods in Mandi district in Himachal; Rs 371.42 crore property damaged

CHANDIGARH: With the recovery of five more bodies, the death toll in the three flash floods triggered by sixteen cloudbursts has now reached ten, with 34 people still missing in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Meanwhile, at least 370 people have been evacuated from affected areas in Mandi, Chamba, and Hamirpur districts of the state, as authorities continue search operations for the missing and work to restore blocked routes. The total damage to property in the hill state this monsoon season has so far been estimated at Rs 371.42 crore. Two bodies were recovered in Siyanj, Gohar, and one each in Thunag, Dhar Jarol, and Pandeev Sheel areas. The identities of the deceased have not yet been disclosed. The cloudbursts were reported at four locations in Gohar, three in Karsog, two in Dharampur, and one in Thunag, Mandi. As per the report from the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Operations Centre, in the last thirty-two hours, the death toll has reached ten, all in Mandi district. Five individuals are injured, 34 people are missing, and 11 remain stranded. A total of 370 people have been evacuated, 316 from Mandi district, 51 from Hamirpur, and three from Chamba. Five dead, 16 missing, 332 rescued following flash floods in Mandi district in Himachal Additionally, 30 animals have died, and one hydroelectricity project has been damaged. A total of 24 houses, 12 cowsheds, one hydroelectricity project, and one bridge have sustained damage. Across the state, 282 roads are currently closed, 182 in Mandi, 37 in Kullu, 33 in Shimla, 12 in Sirmaur, six in Chamba, five in Hamirpur, three each in Kangra and Una, and one in Solan. Moreover, 1,361 electricity transformers and 639 water supply schemes have been disrupted. Two teams each from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with police and home guards, are actively engaged in search and rescue operations in the district. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, at least 51 people have lost their lives and 22 others are missing, while 103 have been injured since June 20 following the onset of the monsoon. These rain-related incidents include flash floods, drowning, electrocution, falls from steep rocks, snake bites, and road accidents. A total of 204 houses, including 22 that were fully damaged (both pucca and kaccha structures), along with 84 shops, cowsheds, and labour huts, have also been damaged. The loss to private property is estimated at Rs 88.03 lakh, while damage to public infrastructure is far more extensive, amounting to Rs 283.39 crore, bringing the total estimated damage to Rs 371.42 crore. Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall continues in several regions of the state.

Congress Decisions Taken At Dining Table, BJP Follows Inner Party Democracy: Dr Jitendra

SHIMLA, Jul 1: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today took a veiled swipe at the Congress, stating that decisions in Congress are taken at the dining table, often by mother and son, while the BJP follows inner party democracy where no one can predict who will be the next president. If internal democracy is being upheld anywhere today, it is in the BJP, he said. Addressing the BJP Sangathan Parv here, Dr Jitendra Singh, in a speech, infused with political [] The post Congress Decisions Taken At Dining Table, BJP Follows Inner Party Democracy: Dr Jitendra appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Himachal Minister Anirudh Singh booked for alleged assault on NHAI officials following building collapse

CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh has been booked by the state police on charges of allegedly assaulting and threatening two officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Shimla. The incident occurred soon after a multi-storeyed building collapsed at Chamyana in Shimla, allegedly due to ongoing four-lane construction work. The case has been registered under Sections 132 (voluntarily causing hurt), 121(1) (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging official duty), 126(5) (wrongful restraint or confinement by a public servant or in the course of official proceedings), 352 (assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation), and 3(2) (liability of abettors when the act is committed by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Dhalli police station. The police have launched an investigation into the matter. The complainant, Achal Jindal Singh, alleged that the minister assaulted him and his colleague inside a room at Bhattakuffar in Chamyana, where the building had collapsed the previous day. Jindal claimed that he and site engineer Yogesh Verma were summoned under the pretext of a meeting but were instead assaulted. The minister Anirudh Singh took both of us to a nearby room and started assaulting us in front of others. He hit a water earthen pot on my head, causing bleeding. When my colleague Yogesh Verma tried to intervene, he attacked him too. We somehow managed to escape as no one from the administration came to our rescue, the complaint stated. He further mentioned that he and his colleague drove to the Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) and Hospital for treatment. Sources said that as per the FIR, information about the collapsed building was sought from the complainant, which he furnished. However, he alleged that Singh used abusive language against him and then called him and his colleague into a room where they were beaten up. Despite repeated attempts, the minister was not available for comment. Both officials were admitted to IGMC in Shimla and their medical reports are awaited. Meanwhile, the NHAI Employees Association condemned the alleged assault and sought the intervention of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. Gadkari wrote on X, The heinous assault on Shri Achal Jindal, Manager, NHAI PIU Shimla, allegedly by the Minister of Panchayati Raj, Himachal Pradesh, and his associates, is deeply reprehensible and an affront to the rule of law. Such a brutal attack on a public servant performing his official duties not only endangers individual safety but also erodes institutional integrity. I have taken serious cognisance of the matter and spoken with the Chief Minister Shri @SukhuSukhvinder ji urging immediate and exemplary action against all perpetrators. Accountability must prevail, and justice must be delivered without delay. Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur demanded that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu should dismiss Singh from the cabinet. This type of anarchy will not be tolerated. The attack on NHAI officers in the presence of a minister and officials is an example of the declining law and order in the state, he said. Thakur further stated that both NHAI officials were called to the spot in the presence of the minister, police, and administrative officials and were then beaten up in a closed room. He alleged that it was shameful the assault took place in front of a senior administrative officer and police personnel, and the victims were not even taken to the hospital.

Nitin Gadkari condemns alleged assault on NHAI official by Himachal minister; demands CM action

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari strongly condemned the assault on Achal Jindal, an NHAI project manager in Shimla, calling it a threat to public institutions and the rule of law. Gadkari has spoken with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, urging swift and decisive action against those responsible.

Beat me with water pitcher: NHAI manager accuses Himachal Pradesh minister of assault

Achal Jindal, NHAI Manager (Technical), has filed a police complaint alleging that Himachal Pradesh Minister Anirudh Singh and his supporters physically assaulted him and his colleague Yogesh during an inspection at Bhattakuffer, Shimla city, on ...

Red alert for heavy rainfall shuts schools in four Himachal districts; 44 dead this monsoon

CHANDIGARH: A red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall across several parts of Himachal Pradesh has prompted the state government to announce the closure of all educational institutions, including schools and colleges, in four districts Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Solan. In a separate incident, a five-storey building collapsed in the Bhattakufar area of Shimla early today. Fortunately, there were no casualties as the building had been evacuated the previous night. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, one person each drowned in Una and Bilaspur districts, while another died after falling from a height in Shimla. As of this evening, 259 roads remain blocked across the state 139 in Mandi, 92 in Sirmaur, 20 in Kullu, four in Una, three in Solan, and one in Kinnaur district. In addition, 614 electricity transformers and 130 water supply schemes have been disrupted. Three people died in the last 24 hours, taking the total monsoon-related death toll in the state to 44 so far, and 82 have been injured. The causes of death include flash floods (8), drowning (6), snake bites (2), electrocution (2), falling from steep rocks (4), and road accidents (21). Shimla: Pedestrains amid rainfall, in Shimla, Monday, June 30, 2025. A landslide near Koti on the Shimla-Kalka National Highway (NH-5), which connects Shimla and Chandigarh, damaged sections of the road, resulting in a traffic jam stretching two to three kilometres. The collapse of the Bhattakufar building was captured on video and widely circulated on social media. The footage shows the building initially upright, before a widening crack leads to its sudden and complete collapse, while heavy rainfall continues in the background. In response to the worsening situation, State Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi chaired a high-level meeting today to review monsoon preparedness. Officials from the Public Works Department, Jal Shakti, Electricity Board, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Revenue, and other departments participated. Four hydroelectric projects shut down, train services on Shimla-Kalka line suspended following heavy rain in Himachal During the meeting, it was reported that heavy rainfall had particularly impacted Kangra and Mandi districts, with machinery already deployed for emergency response. The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board confirmed disruptions to 968 transformers due to adverse weather, with restoration work underway. Likewise, 23 drinking water schemes under the Jal Shakti department were affected, and efforts are ongoing to restore services swiftly. A flash flood was also reported from Sarpara in Rampur, though no casualties have been recorded there. Negi directed the Disaster Management Authority to respond promptly to all incidents. Noting the presence of large dams in Mandi, Kullu, and Kangra, he instructed Deputy Commissioners of these districts to maintain heightened vigilance. Any violation of safety protocols will be dealt with strictly under the Dam Safety Act and the Disaster Management Act. He also urged tourists to heed weather advisories and avoid venturing near rivers and streams. Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) across the state have been instructed to remain alert and ready to act.

Shimla rain: Five-storey building collapses in Shimla, landslips block highways at multiple places

A five-storey building collapsed in Bhattakufer in the suburbs of Shimla on Monday, June 30, morning, while several cows from a shed washed away in the cloudburst in Rampur.

Fourteenth judge recuses from case involving whistleblower Sanjeev Chaturvedi

DEHRADUN: In a continuing setback for whistleblowers in India, a fourteenth judge has recused herself from a case involving Ramon Magsaysay Award-winning Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sanjeev Chaturvedi. Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Neha Kushwaha of Nainital stepped aside from a criminal defamation case filed by Chaturvedi, citing personal reasons linked to familial connections. The case, filed in November 2023, concerns allegations by Chaturvedi that Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) member Manish Garg used objectionable language against him in open court on October 16, 2023. ACJM Kushwaha stated that she is related to another CAT member, D.S. Mehra, who often visits her official residence a connection she deemed sufficient grounds for her recusal. The familial link gains further relevance as Mehras bench had, in October 2024, issued a criminal contempt notice against Chaturvedi for initiating the defamation case. In retaliation, Chaturvedi filed a contempt petition against Mehra in November 2024. Uttarakhand CAT bench issues contempt notices to Cabinet Secretary, two top officials in Sanjiv Chaturvedi case Chaturvedi, who was honoured in 2015 for his anti-corruption efforts, has seen an unusual number of judges withdraw from hearing his cases 14 in total across various judicial levels. This includes two Supreme Court justices, two judges of the Nainital High Court, the CAT Chairman, one trial court judge in Shimla, and seven CAT members from benches in Delhi and Allahabad. The trend of judicial recusals has intensified in recent years. In February 2025, CAT members Harwinder Kaur Oberoi and B. Anand recused themselves from a matter concerning Chaturvedis appraisal report without offering any explanation, also instructing the registry not to list future matters involving him before their bench. A similar step was taken in February 2024 by Uttarakhand High Court Justice Manoj Tiwari in cases related to Chaturvedis deputation. This pattern stretches back over a decade. In 2018, the Uttarakhand High Court directed that Chaturvedis service-related matters be heard exclusively by the Nainital Circuit Bench, penalising the Central Government Rs 25,000 a decision upheld by the Supreme Court. The High Court reaffirmed this in 2021, prompting another legal challenge by the Centre, now pending before a larger Supreme Court bench since March 2023. Earlier recusals include that of then-Supreme Court Justice Ranjan Gogoi in 2013 and Justice U.U. Lalit in 2016 from a petition filed by Chaturvedi seeking a CBI probe into alleged corruption by then Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda and other senior officials. Both stepped aside without citing reasons. The frequency and opacity of these recusals continue to raise concerns about judicial impartiality and access to justice for whistleblowers in India.

Monsoon Havoc in Himachal: Building Collapses, Landslides Block Roads

Shimla five-storey building caves in; cloudburst damages homes, cowsheds in Rampur as rain triggers widespread destruction

Monsoon fury: Five-storey building collapses in Shimla, landslides block highways at multiple places

Heavy monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh triggered widespread destruction on Monday. A five-story building collapsed in Shimla due to land sliding, prompting evacuations. Cloudbursts in Rampur washed away cowsheds and livestock. Landslides blocked the Shimla-Chandigarh highway, causing traffic disruptions. The weather department has issued alerts for flash floods and heavy rains, forecasting continued wet conditions in the state.

Himachal Pradesh: 3 dead in road accident in Shimla amid heavy rains across the state, here's all you need to know

Heavy rainfall has caused significant damage across several parts of Himachal Pradesh, with incidents of landslides, waterlogging, and disrupted connectivity being reported from multiple districts.